Brent Pelham
Adjacent Parishes: Anstey, Berden (Essex), Clavering (Essex), Furneux Pelham, Great Hormead, Meesden, Stocking Pelham
It is in Edwinstree Hundred and the Bishop Stortford Union
Brent Pelham Church from Highways & Byways in Hertfordshire
At the time of the Domesday Book there is a single reference to Pelham but by the end of the 12th century the three villages Brent Pelham, Furneaux Pelham and Stocking Pelham can be identified. Brent Pelham had three manors. There was the manor of Brent Pelham (also known as Greys), the manor of Chamberlyns and the manor of Beeches. The history of these manors is described in the Victoria County History for Hertfordshire.
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Brent Pelham Church Publisher: W.W.E. 153 Posted 1907 |
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Early postcard of Church posted in 1909 |
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Brent Pelham Church no publisher, unused, date circa 1903 |
BRENT PELHAM (1 mile from Essex border and S miles E. from Buntingford) is an interesting village, formerly called Burnt Pelham because, as tradition states, both village and church were destroyed by fire during the reign of Henry I. Traces of the fire existed in the days of Norden (circa 1548-1626) The church — near which the old stocks may still be seen — is Early English, with the embattled western tower so frequent in Herts. It is locally famous for a tomb in the N. wall, said to mark the resting-place of one Piers Shonkes, a serpent slayer who lived in the time of William I. The tomb bears some allegorical figures, which have been the subject of diverse interpretations. Pelham Hall (E. E. Barclay, Esq.), "a alight but well contrived House in this Mannor, near the Church," was built in 1620 by one Edward Newport. It was once owned by the Floyers or Flyers, a family to whose memory there are several memorials in the church.
Hertfordshire Little Guide 1903
The
Stocks, Brent Pelham (undated post card)
Brent Pelham (6 miles N.E.) was formerly called Burnt Pelham owing to a devastating fire here in the reign of Henry I. The Hall, built in the early 17th century, has Jacobean panelling. The Beeches, of similar dating, was the original manor house. The village stocks and whipping post may still be seen near the church which is an ancient structure. Here is an interesting tomb, said to be that of Piers Shonks, the dragon slayer.
This small and picturesque village is the centre of the Puckeridge Hunt and the kennels are located here.
Braughing Rural District Official Guide 1971
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Cottages at Brent Pelham posted 1914 |
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Brent Pelham Hall posted in 1908 |
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Web: There is a web site for The Pelhams.
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Can you identify these men, said to be photographed at Brent Pelham? |
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Some modern pictures of Brent Pelham on Geograph |
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 by Simon Judd |
 by Richard Thomas |
 by Robert Edwards |
 by John Salmon |
 by John Salmon |
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See also Vital Records
If you know of other books, websites, etc, relating to this place, please tell me.
Page updated December 2007
